The South China Sea: Future Source of Prosperity or Conflict in South East Asia?

Abstract

The existence of oil and gas deposits in the South China Sea and overlapping claims of sovereignty over the many mid-ocean land features and surrounding waters cause a risk of military confrontation among the claimants. It is currently unlikely that China will interfere with freedom of navigation on the strategic sea lanes of the South China Sea or attempt to force other claimant nations from the Spratlys. But neither of these possibilities can be ruled out in the longer run. ASEAN nations view the United States as the principal military deterrent to the use of force. The United States has a vital interest in keeping the South China Sea open to ships of all nations. However, settlement of conflicting sovereignty claims is a regional issue which can be peacefully resolved only by the claimants.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA394318

Entities

People

  • Richard E. Hull

Organizations

  • National Defense University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Arbitration
  • Asia
  • Commerce
  • Electronic Mail
  • International Law
  • Islands
  • Law
  • Military Capabilities
  • National Security
  • Navigation
  • Oceans
  • Philippines
  • South Asia
  • South China Sea
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies